Young Racing Enthusiasts Create Their Own Le Mans

At eight and eleven years old, Christopher and JP Noga of La Grange, Ill., prove that you are never too young to get into racing. Proud members of Cub Scout pack 83, JP and Christopher are both avid car and racing enthusiasts. Winter is their favorite time of the year, as this is when their Cub Scout pack’s annual “Pinewood Derby” event is held. Hundreds of Cub Scout packs around the country hold their annual Pinewood Derby races during this season to help with the onset of cabin fever, especially in the colder regions. 

Cub master Don Murphy of Pack 280c organized the first of these Pinewood Derby events on May 15, 1953, in Manhattan Beach, California. Murphy's son was too young to participate in the popular Soap Box Derby races, so he came up with the idea of racing miniature cars made of wood. The cars featured the same gravity-powered concept as the full-size Soap Box Derby cars, but were much smaller and easier to build.

Today, Cub Scouts build a special car made of wood for these races that usually come from kits containing a block of pine, plastic wheels and metal axles. Putting together these cars is a big part of the fun and a great way to involve family members and friends in the competition. For this year’s race, JP decided to build a Ferrari, and Christopher, an avid Corvette lover, built the Compuware C6R Corvette in homage to the Corvette Racing team--recent winners of the ALMS GT title. 

Excitement was building up as race day came, and the competitors rolled out their cars to the starting line. All the time spent building, testing and setting up their entries had led to this moment. With Ferrari and Corvette being rivals at the world’s most famous race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, all eyes were on the Noga boys as they prepared to defend their car’s honor. Christopher Noga, driving the C6R, took his place behind the wheel and put together a time of 9.224 in his combined runs of four heats. His brother in the Ferrari took his runs, driving for all he was worth to put together a four heat combination time of 9.245. In a performance reminiscent of the 2011 Le Mans race, Corvette came out on top.

JP and Christopher are eagerly looking forward to their pack’s 2014 Pinewood Derby race, and already have design ideas in mind. Just like the teams that have been facing off for years in Le Mans France, the Noga brothers are working on their cars for next year, hoping it will be their turn to claim victory. One can’t help but wonder if these Pinewood Derby racers will one day find themselves on the grid of the Circuit de la Sarthe, revving their engines and ready to chase the checkered flag again.

Race Fans Can Register to Win a Corvette Starting April 15

Grand Prize: 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible, Trip to Le Mans Race fans can enter for a chance to win a 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible and a trip to Le Mans, France, for the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans by entering the “Race To Win Corvette” promotion at www.racetowincorvette.com now through June 30, 2011. “‘Race to Win Corvette’ is a tremendous opportunity for a race fan to win one of the most iconic sports cars ever produced, and watch it compete in the oldest and most famous endurance race in the world,” said Terry Dolan, Manager, Chevy Racing. “Team Chevy is proud to partner with the American Le Mans Series, AutoWeek, Michelin and Mobil 1 to help make this racing experience a reality.” No purchase necessary. See official rules for details at www.racetowincorvette.com.

National Corvette Museum to Auction VIN 001 - 2011 Special Edition Le Mans Z06 Corvette at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

Tribute Car to Benefit Planned Motorsports Park

2010 marked the 50th anniversary celebration of Corvette’s first appearance and win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and to celebrate that significant occasion Chevrolet built a special 2011 Corvette Z06, donning the same Arctic White paint, blue racing stripes and number “3” as the car it pays homage to… the 1960 Cunningham Corvette which won its class 50 years ago.

Bidders at the 2011 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction will get a unique and rare opportunity to own this true one-of-a-kind Corvette on Friday, January 21 when it hits the auction block in support of the National Corvette Museum. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Museum’s planned Motorsports Park – a nearly 500 acre facility complete with road courses, autocross course, skid pad, karting track and drag strip.

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary, the 2011 tribute Corvette participated in a Legends of Le Mans event with a memorable parade lap at Laguna Seca alongside three historic Le Mans cars (1960 Cunningham, 1967 Bondurant/Guldstrand, 1973 BF Goodrich) as well as the Corvette C6.R GT2 car. The car has also been used for a number of other publicity functions including the first public showing at the Corvette Museum’s C5/C6 Bash April 30, ALMS Races at Utah, Lime Rock, Mid-Ohio and Road America, Corvettes at Carlisle and finally the NCM Hall of Fame event. The car is autographed by racing legends and Corvette Hall of Fame members Dick Guldstrand, John Fitch and Dick Thompson as well as the 2010 Corvette Racing drivers Johnny O’Connell, Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta and Jan Magnussen.

In addition to being a tribute car, Chevrolet with the help of GM’s Design Center added special one-off features to this production Corvette Z06 which is also the first saleable 2011 Z06 Corvette with VIN 001, manufactured on April 19 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Features include Competition Gray headlamps, mirrors and wheels; heritage 1960 style blue split stripes and #3 door numbers; special 50th Anniversary of Le Mans Racing logos; blue brake calipers; Z07 Performance Package with Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, 19” front / 20” rear 20-spoke competition gray wheels, Michelin PS2 tires, and Magnetic Selective Ride Control; black carbon fiber front splitter and rockers; ZR1 style rear spoiler; ebony leather wrapped interior with Competition Gray trim; LS7 7.0 I 427 ci 505 hp small-block V8 with dry sump system, titanium components; 6-speed manual transmission with launch control; carbon fiber fenders and floor panels; and an aluminum frame structure and magnesium engine cradle.

The Corvette is listed on the Barrett-Jackson website at: http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?aid=403&ln=1032&pop=0&it=1 and the auction of this car will be televised live on the Speed Network between 7 and 9pm MST. The National Corvette Museum will be in attendance at the show with a booth by the General Motors area to answer any questions about the car and offer Corvette merchandise and raffle tickets for purchase.

Download a hero card about the car here:
http://www.corvettemuseum.com/lemansauctioncar.pdf
Download a fact sheet here:
http://www.corvettemuseum.com/lemansfactsheet.pdf
View high res images of the car here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/corvettemuseum/2011SpecialZ06#
View a short video of the car here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ATyrea7Qv4

The National Corvette Museum is the ‘Gateway to All Things Corvette’ and a member-driven, 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation. Weekly news on the latest Corvette developments, racing updates, event features and raffles are available by subscribing to “NCM eNews” at: corvettemuseum.org/ncmenews. Dedicated to the mission of celebration, education and preservation, the Museum is open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT - located at Exit 28 on I-65 in Bowling Green, KY.

National Corvette Museum's Anniversary Celebration to Showcase Corvette Racing's Past and Future

Display Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Le Mans Participation

This year's 24 Hours of Le Mans marked the 50th anniversary of Corvette's first participation in the world's most celebrated sports car race. And this year’s NCM Anniversary Celebration will re-unite Briggs Cunningham’s No. 3 Corvette with the 2011 Special Z06 created as a modern version of the 1960 racer.

"When you look at the Corvettes that raced at Le Mans 50 years ago, it's impossible not to be impressed by the passion, the immense courage, and the physical stamina that was required to race for 24 hours in those vehicles," said Corvette Racing program Doug Fehan. "It was an astounding feat, and the men who drove them have my respect. Regardless of what Corvette Racing may have accomplished in the past or what we may accomplish in the future, we will always work in the shadow of these racers."

Briggs Cunningham's No. 3 Corvette was purchased by the late Chip Miller who went through great lengths to restore the car. His son, Lance, has carried on the passion by shipping the car to this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans race… a race where it finished first in the large displacement GT category and eighth overall at Le Mans in 1960.

Driver Johnny O'Connell enjoyed the rare opportunity to drive the No. 3 1960 Corvette during a photo shoot at Le Mans. "The race cars and technology have changed greatly over the years, but Chevrolet's approach to racing has been consistent," O'Connell said. "The Corvettes that raced at Le Mans in 1960 were very nearly stock vehicles, and to this day, Corvette Racing is still a tool to improve the breed. The relationship that the race team has with the production engineers definitely benefits Chevrolet customers.”

Lance will travel to Bowling Green, Kentucky September 2-4 with the Cunningham Corvette, and conduct a seminar as part of the National Corvette Museum’s weekend activities. His Corvette will be displayed side-by-side with the 2011 Special Z06.

The 2011 Special Z06 was created by Chevrolet as a one-off production Corvette Z06, the first 2011 Corvette manufactured with VIN 001. GM Design Center created a modern version of the famous white and blue stripe 1960 Le Mans winner, adding many special features. Event attendees will get the chance to photograph both cars together at the Museum.

Lance Miller of Corvettes at Carlisle to Give Seminar at the National Corvette Museum's C5/C6 Bash

Seminar celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the first Corvette Le Mans win

Attendees to the National Corvette Museum’s C5/C6 Bash will get a special treat on May 1 as Lance Miller of Corvettes at Carlisle shares the story of the discovery and restoration of the first Corvette to win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, 50 years ago.

The 1960 Briggs Cunningham Corvette was driven to that first victory by the legendary duo of John Fitch and Bob Grossman, but despite its historical win, the Corvette was later converted into a street car and driven off into obscurity sometime in the 1960s. The car resurfaced just a few years ago, and when Chip Miller, founder of Corvettes at Carlisle, heard about it he acquired the car and began the process of restoring it. His dream was to bring it back to Le Mans, France in 2010 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its historic win there.

Sadly, Chip passed away before his dream could be realized, but his son Lance took on the project where his dad left off. “The plan is to have the 1960 Cunningham Corvette and one of the drivers, Mr. John Fitch, attend the 2010 Le Mans race in June,” said Lance. “My father wanted to make sure the car would be at the race for its 50th Reunion. Needless to say I'm going to make sure it happens with the help of a lot of great friends!”

General Motors is also honoring that win with the new Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition which will be at the National Corvette Museum’s C5/C6 Bash. A tribute to the anniversary of this great race, each car comes with race number graphics that reference the famous victory.

For Lance though, taking part in the 50th anniversary of the win is just one more thing he can do to honor his father and to bring attention to the Chip Miller Charitable Foundation. The foundation was formed to help spread awareness of amyloidosis and raise money for education and research.

There will be several other exciting and informative seminars at this year’s Bash event, including one featuring members of the Corvette Racing team. Program Manager Doug Fehan and championship driver Johnny O’Connell will be on hand to talk about the triumphs and challenges of GT racing during a special lunch for a limited number of participants.

For registered event attendees, GM will also be conducting “Ride and Drives” from Thursday through Saturday, (4/49-5/1) giving visitors a chance to get behind the wheel of a new Corvette, Camaro, Traverse, Equinox, Malibu and other vehicles from their product line. This will be a fun chance to get to know more about these cars from the people who make them.

In addition, scenic road tours are offered to see some of Kentucky and Tennessee’s other wonderful attractions, as well as digital scavenger hunts, autograph sessions, a Celebrity Car Show, silent auction, autocross, drag racing, dyno pulls, vendors and clinics that cover just about every aspect of the Corvette experience.

Attendees can find up-to-date event agendas and register online at: http://www.corvettemuseum.com/registration/c5_bash/info.shtml.